Air conditioning method and apparatus for passenger cars



J. H. DAVIS uov ls, 1932.

AIR CONDITIONING IIETHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PASSENGER CARS Filed Oct. 19. 1929 W M J i Patented Nov. 15, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JESSE H. DAVIS, F BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO B. F. STURTEVANT COM- PANY, 0F HYDE PARK, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHU- SETTS AIR CONDITIONING METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PASSENGER GABS Application filed October 19, 1929. Serial No. 400,930.

It is a well known fact that railroad cars parked in yards and in stations are uncomfortably hot inside during the summer months. This is especially true with reference to the present standard steel car, and passengers enterin said cars, at stations, awaiting the startlng of the train are extremely uncomfortable by reason of the high temperature.

The primary object of my invention is to regulate the temperature of parked cars so that passengers may remain in the car with comfort while awaiting the starting of the train.

Another object of my invention is to provide means, whereby the temperature of all cars on the train while enroute, may be regulated to the desired temperature. I

Another object of my invention is to condition the air entering a car, (parked and enroute), freeing the air from all dust, soot,

,eiuders and other forei n matter, controlling its temperature and humidity, and introducing such conditioned air into the car without objectionable drafts.

For purposes of illustrating my invention I have selected one of many embodiments adapted for carrying out my invention, but I do not wish to be confined to the embodiment shown.

In the drawing: Figure 1 is a plan view, in outline. of what I shall hereinafter term, the master car,

embodying my invention.

35 Figure 2 is a similar view of a passenger car adapted to cooperate with the master car. My present invention contemplates that chilled water or other refrigerant comes from the master car, preferably located in the forward part of the train. or under certain conditions it may be located in another part of the train, and is delivered by suitable conduits to the several cars of the train. In another embodiment of my invention the chilled air is delivered into parked cars in stations from a master air conditioning equipment in the station.

Referring to Figure 1, the reference numeral 5 designates the master car, in which, preferably, two electric generators 6 are shown in one end of the car; these generators may be driven by internal combustion engines, such as Diesel, or by a steam turbine. These generators will supply the necessary amount of electrical energy, either alternating or direct current type, but preferably alternating current of the desired number of phases, at the desired voltage. Suflicient generating capacity is provided to not only operate the air conditioning equipment, but also supply the lights in the several cars of the train.

A motor driven centrifugal type of refrigerator 7 is located in the other end of the master, or baggage car, and the necessary condenser 8, and evaporator 9 are provided either above or below the car floor. The figure shows the compressor unit mounted above the condenser and evaporator tanks, all within the body of the car.

The refrigerant, which may be Selected, is compressed and delivered to the condenser 8 beneath the refrigerator 7. Here the hot refrigerant is cooled and is passed through the expansion valve 10 to the evaporator 9. The refrigerant is contained in coils sur ounded by water in the evapo ator 9 and after absorbing the heat from the water the refrigerant is recompressed by the compressor '7 and is available for re-use.

Water coils are provided in the condenser 8 for the purpose of cooling the bot compressed refrigerant. The heated condenser water is then delivered to the cooling tower 11, in the corner of the car where it is sprayed and air is passed through the same thus cooling the water back to about the temperature of the air, and thewater is then recirculated by means of motor driven centrifugal pump 12.

The chilled water is taken from the evaporator 9 by the other pump 13 and is delivered to a properly covered and insulated cold water line 14 which extends throughout the train, there being suitable couplings therein between the cars. Taps or supple-- mental conduits lead from this cold water line to the coolers 16 on each car 17 in the train. A return line 18 is provided to bring the warm water back to the evaporator 9 where it is re-cooled for recirculation.

Referring to Figure 2, the car 17 is provided with a cooler 16. This cooler is located in a cooling chamber 16'. With this chamber 16' connects a duct 19 having air inlets 18 communicating with the passenger containing compartment of the car and also having air inlets 19' communicating with an air admission chamber 19a in which the chamber 16 and duct 19 are enclosed. The .cooler and chambers above described are preferably disposed at one endof the car and at the top of the car, and said chamber is provided with ventilators 19b whereby fresh outside air may be admitted or not for passage with air from the car to the cooler whenever it is desired to freshen the air in the car. In the air inlets mechanical filters are located to remove all foreign matter from the air, the air is then drawn into and through the cooling chamber 16 by the action of a centrifugal fan 20 and discharged by said fans into the ducts 21 from which it is delivered into the passenger compartment of the car. This air cooling, filtering and circulating mechanism may be in accordance with that forming the broad subject-matter of my application filed October 19, 1929, Serial No. 00,929. By the use of this air cooling, filtering and circulating means the air in the passenger compartment of the car may be kept in continuous circulation and freshened by taking in outside air at suitable intervals in order to maintain the inside air in a wholesome condition.

Within the scope of my invention, as set forth in the appended claims, the arrangement, construction and operation of the means on the master car or equipment externally of and auxiliary to the passenger car or cars to be cooled may be varied to wide degrees from the present disclosure; also changes in the construction, arrangement and operation of the parts throughout may be resorted to within the scope of such claims without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

What I claim is:

1, The method of conditioning air for a passenger car train which consists in chilling a cooling fluid in a master car and conducting said fluid by means of conduits from the master car to the passenger cars in the train,

shunting the fluid from said conduits to a mamas cooler in each assenger car in the train, and drawing the air to'be cooled over said cooler and discharging said cooled air into the car.

2. The method of treating air for a passenger car train which consists in chilling water, conductin said water through a conduit to the severa cars in the train, shunting said water from said conduit into each car in the train, passing said water through a cooler in the car, drawing outside air into each car, filtering said outside air and passing it over said cooler, and then introducing the cooled air into the said car.

3. In combination in a railroad passenger train, a master car, and a plurality of passenger cars, a water chilling equipment in said master car, main conduits connecting said equipment with the passenger cars, to carry the chilled water to the passenger cars, a duct in each of the passenger cars to conduct outside air into the passenger cars, an air filter in said duct, a cooler in said duct, a supplemental conduit leading from the main conduits into said duct to carry the water to said coolers and air ducts in the car, and means for driving the cooled air into the interior of the car.

4. In combination, in an air cooling device for passenger cars, a water chilling equipment, a conduit for the chilled water leading from said equipment, and a supplemental conduit leading from said conduit into a car, a cooler in the car connected with said supplemental conduit, means to pass air over said cooler, and discharge the air from the said cooler into the car.

5. I11 combination, in a passenger train, a master car, and passenger cars, a water chilling equipment in the master car, main pipes connecting said equipment with the passenger cars, to conduct the chilled water thereto, a cooler in each passenger car, a pipe connecting the cooler to said main pipes, air ducts leading to said cooler, ducts from said cooler to convey the cooled ,air from the cooler into the car, and means to return the water to the master car.

6. In combination, in a passenger train, a

master car, and passenger cars, a water chill ing equipment in the master car, main pipes connecting the said equipment with the passenger cars to-conduct chilled water thereto, a cooler in each passenger car, a connection between the said main pipe to conduct the chilled water to said cooler, air ducts leading from the exterior of the passenger car to said cooler, and ducts to distribute the air from said cooler into the car.

7. In combination, in a passenger train, a master car, and passenger cars, a water chilling equipment on said master car, main pipes connecting said equipment with the passenger cars, to conduct the chilled water thereto, a cooler in each passenger car, a connection between said main pipe and cooler to conduct iii) the chilled water to said cooler, air ducts leading from the exterior and interior of the passenger car to said cooler, and ducts to distribute the cooled air from said cooler into the car.

8. In combination, in a passenger train, a master car, and passenger cars, a water chilling equipment on said master car, main pipes connecting said equipment with the passenger cars, to conduct the chilled water thereto, a cooler in each passenger car, a connection between said main pipe and cooler to conduct the chilled water to said cooler, airducts leading from the exterior and interior of the passenger car to said cooler, and ducts to distribute the cooled air from said cooler into the car and a return water pipe from the passenger cars to the chilling equipment in the master car.

9. In combination, in a passenger train, a master car, and passenger cars, a water chilling equipment on said master car, main pipes connecting said equipment with the passenger cars, to conduct the chilled water thereto, a cooler in each passenger car, a connection between said main pipe and cooler to conduct the chilled water to said cooler, air ducts leading from the exterior and interior of the passenger car to said cooler, and ducts to dis tribute the cooled air from said cooler into the car and an air filter to free the air from foreign matter before it passes over the cooler.

10. In combination, in a passenger train. a master car, and passenger cars, a water chilling equipment on said master car, main pipes connecting said equipment with the passenger cars, to conduct the chilled Water thereto, a cooler in each passenger car, a connection between said main pipe and cooler to conduct the chilled Water to said cooler, air ducts leading from the exterior and interior of the passenger car to said cooler, and ducts to distribute the cooled air from said cooler into the car, and a return water pipe from the passenger cars to the chilling equipment in the master car, and an air filter to free the air from foreign matter before it passes over said cooler.

11. The method of condit oning the air in the passenger compartment of a passenger vehicle, which consists in preparing a cooling fluid externally of the vehicle and circulat ing it through a course including a cooling chamber in the vehicle separate from but having inlet and discharge connections with the passenger compartment thereof, circulating air between the said chamber and compartment through said inlet and outlet conncctions, drawing external air into the chamber, and cooling the air on its passage through said chamber.

12. A passenger car having av passenger compartment, a cooling chamber separate from but having inlet and outlet connections with said com artment, a surface cooler in said chamber or cooling air therein, means for conducting a cooling fluid from a source externally of the ear to said cooler, connections for continually circulating air between the compartment and chamber and admittipg fresh air to the latter, and a suction and discharge fan for causing air to flow into said chamber and in contact with said cooler and for forcing the cooled air from the cooling chamber to the compartment.

13. A passenger car having a passen er containing compartment, a cooling cham er separate from but having inlet and outlet connections with saidcompartment, said outlet connections communicating with the compartment at different oints in the length thereof, means for admltting external atmospheric air to said chamber, a cooler in the chamb r, means for drawing air from the external atmosphere or from the passenger compartment to be cooled by the cooler and circulating air between the chamber and compartment, and means for supplying a cooling fluid to said cooler from a source externally of the car.

14. The method of conditioning the air in the passenger compartment of a passenger vehicle, which consists in preparing a cooling fluid externally of the vehicle, circulating said fluid through a course including a cooling chamber in the vehicle separate from but having inlet and discharge connections with the passenger compartment thereof, circulating air between the said chamber and compartment through said inlet and outlet connections, and cooling the air on its passage through said chamber.

15. The method of conditioning the air in the passenger compartment of a passenger vehicle, which consists in preparing a cooling fluid externally of the vehicle, circulating said fluid through a course including a surface cooler disposed in a cooling chamber in the vehicle separate from but having inlet and discharge connections with the passenger compartment thereof. circulating air between said chamber and compartment through said inlet and outlet connections. drawing external air into the chamber and mixing it with the circulating air therein, and cooling the air by bringing the same in contact with said surface cooler on its pas sage through said chamber.

16. The method of conditioning the air in the passenger crunpartments of cars of a railway train, which consists in temperature conditioning a temperature controlling medium at a central point on a train of cars, conduct ing this medium to cars in a train through a conduit. shunting the said medium from said conduit into a temperature modifying chamber in each car in the train separate from but communicating with the passenger compartment of the car, positively drawing air into the chamber, modifyin the temperature of air in said chamber, an ositivcly discharging the temperature mo ified air from said chamber into the passenger compartment of the car.

17. The method of conditioning the air in the passenger compartments of cars of a railway train, which consists in temperature conditioning a temperature controlling medium at a central oint on a train of cars, conducting this medium to cars in a train through a conduit, shunting the said medium from said conduit into a temperature modifying chamber in each car in the train separate from but communicating with the passenger compartment of the car, drawin fresh air into the chamber, recirculating t e air between the chamber and compartment, modifying the temperature of air in said chamber, and positivel dischar ing the temperature modified air rom sai chamber into the passenger compartment of the car.

18. The method of conditioning the air in the passenger compartments of cars of a railway train, which consists in cooling a cooling medium at a central oint on a train of cars, conducting this cooling medium to cars in a train through a conduit, shunting the said medium from said conduit into a coolin chamber in each car in the train and utllizing the same to cool a surface cooler therein, brin in air into contact with said cooler in sai c amber and thereb cooling the same, and dischar ing the coole air from said chamber into t e passenger compartment of the car.

19. The method of conditioning the air in the passenger compartments of a vehicle, which consists in cooling a cooling medium externally of the vehicle, conducting this medium to a surface cooler located in a cooling compartment in the roof zone of the vehicle, circulating air continuously between said compartment and the passenger containing compartment of the vehicle, admitting air into the chamber and comminglin the same with the circulating air therein, bringing the air in the cooling compartment in contact with said surface cooler and thereby cooling the same, and discharging the cooled air from said cooling compartment into the passenger compartment of the car.

20. The method of conditioning the air in the passenger compartments of cars of a railway train, which consists in cooling a cooling medium at a central point on a train of cars, conducting this cooling medium to cars in a train through a conduit, shunting the said medium from saidconduit into a cooling chamber in each car in the train separate from but communicating with the passenger compartment thereof and utilizing the same to cool a surface cooler therein, recirculating air between the chamber and compartment, bringing fresh air into the charm her and mixing it with the recirculatedhir therein, bringing the air in said chamber in contact with the coolin surface and thereby cooling the same, and ischarging the cooled air from said chamber in each car into the passenger compartment of the car.

21. passenger car having a passen er containing compartment, a cooling cham er separate rom but having inlet and outlet connections with said compartment, means for admitting external atmospheric air to said chamber, a cooler in the chamber, means for circulating air between the compartment and chamber and bringing the same into contact with the cooler and discharging the cooled air into the passenger compartment, and means for supplying a cooling fluid to said cooler from a source externally of the car. i

22. A passenger car having a passenger containing compartment, a cooling chamber separate from but having inlet and outlet connections with said compartment, a surface cooler in the chamber, means for circulating air between the chamber and compartment, and means for supplying a coolin fluid to said cooler from a source externa ly of the car.

23. A passenger car having a passen er containing compartment, a cooling cham er separate from but having inlet and outlet connections with said compartment, a surface cooler in th'echamber, means for circulating air between the chamber and compartment, means for admitting atmospheric air to the chamber for mixture with the circulatin a coo ing fluid to said cooler from a source externally of the car.

24. A passenger car having a passenger containing com artment, a cooling chamber separate from ut having inlet and outlet connections with said compartment, means for admitting external atmospheric air to bald chamber, a cooler in the chamber, means for circulating air between the chamber and compartment, a filter for filtering air passing to the chamber, and means for supplying a coolin fluid to said cooler from a source external y of the car.

25. A passenger car having a passenger containing compartment, a cooling chamber separate from but having inlet and outletconnections with said compartment, a cooler in the chamber, a fan for drawing air from the compartment to be cooled by the cooler and forcing the cooled air into the compartment and maintaining a circulation of air between the chamber and compartment, and means for supplying a cooling fluid to said cooler from a source externally of the car.

26. A passenger car having a passenger containing compartment, a cooling chamber located in the roof zone of the car separate from but having air circulating inlet and air therein, and means for supplying ass-mes outlet connections with the upper orlion of said compartment a surfacelcoo er in the chamber, a fresh air inlet to said chamber, a

fan for drawing air from the external at- I mosphere through said fresh air inlet or from the compartment through the air circulating inlet connection and over the cooler and maintaining a circulation of air through the aincirculatm inlet and outlet connections between the c amber and compartment, and

means for supplying a coolin fluid to said cooler from a source external y of the car.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

- JESSE H. DAVIS.

v oasonmmsa 1,887,582.--Jesae H. Davis, Baltimore, Md. AIR CONDITIONING Mn'ruon AND APPARATUS FOR Paesm'emn Cans. Patent dated November 15, 1932. Disclaimer filed March 4, 1937, by the assignee, B. F. Sturtesant Company. Hereb enters this disclaimer to the subject matter of claims 1 to 10 inclusive, and claim 18 0 said patent. [Oficial Gazette March 80, 1937.1

ass-mes outlet connections with the upper orlion of said compartment a surfacelcoo er in the chamber, a fresh air inlet to said chamber, a

fan for drawing air from the external at- I mosphere through said fresh air inlet or from the compartment through the air circulating inlet connection and over the cooler and maintaining a circulation of air through the aincirculatm inlet and outlet connections between the c amber and compartment, and

means for supplying a coolin fluid to said cooler from a source external y of the car.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

- JESSE H. DAVIS.

v oasonmmsa 1,887,582.--Jesae H. Davis, Baltimore, Md. AIR CONDITIONING Mn'ruon AND APPARATUS FOR Paesm'emn Cans. Patent dated November 15, 1932. Disclaimer filed March 4, 1937, by the assignee, B. F. Sturtesant Company. Hereb enters this disclaimer to the subject matter of claims 1 to 10 inclusive, and claim 18 0 said patent. [Oficial Gazette March 80, 1937.1 

